In early 1990s Greece became one of the prime destination countries for the migrant peoples of the collapsing regimes of the Balkan and Eastern European countries, experiencing, thus, a historical reversal of the massive exodus, in the 1950s and 1960s, of Greeks to the labour markets of Germany, Australia and the USA. This historical reversal seems to identify a pattern that is common to the Southern European countries. Over the last ten years, immigrant population has grown to attain approximately one tenth of the population of Greece. This development occurs at a time when pressures are being exerted on agricultural incomes following the reform of the CAP and subsequent evidencing of the first consequences of market liberalization in the context of a globalizing international economy. This paper aims at analyzing and interpreting the main findings of an empirical research programme on the economic and social implications of migrant settlement and employment in rural Greece. The research was carried out in three paradigmatic regions of the country: a) in a mountainous, less favoured region, b) in a region with dynamic agriculture, and c) in an insular region of agricultural and tourist development. The paper draws from a qualitative study of administrators and opinion leaders. It is divided into four parts: the first part presents the main elements of migration in rural Southern Europe in the frame of what is known as the South European model of migration. The second part discusses migration towards Greece and reviews research work relating to rural migration. With reference to methodology and the main research hypotheses, the third part presents the analysis of empirical findings concentrating on the importance of migrant labour for the operation of the farm and rural restructuring followed by a discussion of the position and role of migrants in rural society and development. The final part summarizes the main conclusions of this analysis.
Trente ans après Trente ans après. Revenir sur un terrain d'enquête de sa jeunesse est toujours une expérience personnelle et scientifique riche et émouvante pour le sociologue. L'étude des villages d' Épire a joué un rôle déterminant dans la suite de mes recherches dans la mesure où elle m'a ramené à la monographie locale. Et par la suite, cette exigence de localité a été le trait caractéristique de tous les travaux du groupe de sociologie rurale du C.N.R.S. puis, d'une façon plus large, en y comprenant des localités urbaines, du programme majeur du C.N.R.S. «Observation Continue du Changement Social et Culturel». Ce retour en Épire confirme, s'il en était besoin, la fécondité de l'approche locale. C'est en effet en retournant sur le même terrain, dont il connaît les structures, Stathis Damianakos est chargé de recherche au C.N.R.S.; Babis Kassimis est professeur associé à l'Université de Patras (Département de Sciences Économiques); Marina Maropoulou est assistante à l'Université d'Athènes (Faculté de Droit); Ersi Zacopoulou est chercheur à l'EKKE. * À ces recherches, placées sous la direction d'Henri Mendras et de Stathis Damianakos, ont participé quatre chercheurs, les trois cosignataires de cet article ainsi que M. Vassilis Nitsiakos. L'équipe a en outre bénéficié de l'apport de deux collaborateurs extérieurs, M. Michalis Arapoglou et Mme Vasso Rocou.
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